Man United’s Smalling Joins Roma on Loan
Manchester United defender, Chris Smalling, has agreed to join Serie A side, AS Roma, for a season-long loan for a £2.7 million fee.
Transfer discussions between the two clubs reportedly began Tuesday, 27 August, with United initially requesting £18 million between a loan fee and option to buy.
However, the Red Devils eventually decided to choose a one-year loan to avoid long, bureaucratic processes that could have stopped the move.
To complete the transfer, the 29-year-old Englishman is expected to fly to Italy this evening, Thursday 29 August, to undergo a medical.
After failing in their efforts to sign Tottenham Hotspur’s Toby Alderweireld, Liverpool’s Dejan Lovren, and Juventus’ Daniele Rugani, Roma are keen on bringing in an experienced centre-back.
Smalling originally joined United from Fulham in 2010 for £7 million, but has fallen down the hierarchy following the recent almost £900 million world-record move that brought Harry Maguire to Old Trafford.
